• Philippians • Philemon • Colossians • Ephesians
THE ADVOCATE Philemon 1
Advocate 1. a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy. 2. a person who puts a case on someone else's behalf.
5 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN ORDER TO BECOME AN ADVOCATE
5 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN ORDER TO BECOME AN ADVOCATE 1. Celebrate before you confront
“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philemon 1: 1-3
“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.” Philemon 1: 4-7
5 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN ORDER TO BECOME AN ADVOCATE 2. Be willing to challenge cultural norms
“I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.” Philemon 1: 6
Partnership = Koinonia Philemon 1: 6
“Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.” Philemon 1: 8-10
“Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.” Philemon 1: 15-16
5 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN ORDER TO BECOME AN ADVOCATE 2. Be willing to challenge cultural norms The Gospel doesn’t always align you with the majority of culture, but it always aligns you with Jesus
5 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN ORDER TO BECOME AN ADVOCATE 3. Re-enact the Gospel in your own life
“So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—” Philemon 1: 17-19a
5 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN ORDER TO BECOME AN ADVOCATE 4. Don’t underestimate the power of Koinonia
“Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” Colossians 3:11
5 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN ORDER TO BECOME AN ADVOCATE 4. Don’t underestimate the power of Koinonia True “Koinonia” doesn’t ignore differences, it just means that differences don’t matter
5 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN ORDER TO BECOME AN ADVOCATE 5. Embrace the Gospel in all of its fullness
“Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Philemon 1: 21-25
5 THINGS TO CONSIDER IN ORDER TO BECOME AN ADVOCATE 5. Embrace the Gospel in all of its fullness There is one Gospel, and it is a Gospel that transforms both individuals and culture as a whole
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